Pronounced: Care-ah CAL-a-han
Lion Career
2006 (Junior): Academic All-Big Ten ... played in 19 matches and 21 games as a serving and defensive specialist ... posted seven digs and four service aces for the year, including first career ace against Nicholls State (8/25) at the LSU Classic ... recorded two digs against Eastern Kentucky (9/1) and at Iowa (9/22) ... also picked up a dig versus Ohio State (9/20), Michigan State (10/21) and Indiana (11/4).
2005 (Sophomore): Saw action in seven matches and seven games as a serving and defensive specialist ... played in first match of the season against Indiana (10/1) and also played in the NCAA Tournament first round match against Binghamton (12/2) and the second round match versus Long Island (12/3).
2004 (Freshman): Played in four matches and four games ... saw first career action against Quinnipiac (9/4) ... recorded first collegiate dig versus Iowa (10/1) ... also saw action against Purdue (10/30) and at Iowa (11/6).
High School
Three-year letterwinner at Bloomington (Ill.) High School ... team captain during senior year for the Raiders ... helped squad to three Illinois sectional titles ... named to the Big 12 team during senior season ... also earned the coaches award ... member of the honor roll, Who[apos]s Who and the Big 12 academic team.
Personal
Born Kara Elizabeth Callahan on Oct. 21, 1985 in Media, Pa. ... parents are Dolores and Edward Callahan ... has one sister, Katie (15) ... both mom and dad attended Penn State ... majoring in elementary education ... names hanging out with friends, music and dancing as favorite hobbies, Katt Williams as favorite entertainer, the Philadelphia Eagles as favorite pro sports team, cheese and mustard sandwiches as favorite food, 'Peyton Place' as favorite book, 'Grey[apos]s Anatomy' as favorite television show, 'The Notebook' as favorite movie, Matthew McConaughey as favorite actor and Rachel McAdams as favorite actress.
Quoting Russ Rose
'Kara is a very instrumental part of the team in spite of the fact that she hasn[apos]t played a great deal. She is one of the emotional barometers of the team. She[apos]s a fun player and teammate who always has something funny to say, whether she[apos]s talking to herself or someone else on the team. It[apos]s always an enjoyment having her around. She has a good serve and in the spring she was one of the more steady defensive players.'
Callahan[apos]s Expectations
'I expect us to uphold the traditions and standards that former Penn State teams, players, and coaches have established. I also expect us to work hard in order to achieve our goal as a team who wants to leave a lasting mark in the record books.'